Caroline Friedl

Caroline Friedl serves as the Events and Operations Assistant at ACG, where she supports the firm’s leadership and daily operations. As Executive Assistant to Managing Partners Shawn Smeallie and
Manus Cooney, she manages scheduling, travel bookings, and event logistics.

Since relocating to Washington, D.C., Caroline has gained valuable experience in the think tank and public affairs sectors. During her time as an International Affairs Advisory Intern at APCO, she crafted strategic communication plans for a diverse range of global clients, focusing on business objectives, risk mitigation, and building relationships within the higher education, national security, and food and beverage industries. Previously, she interned with the Diversity and Leadership in International Affairs Project at the Center for Strategic and International Studies, the world’s leading defense and national security think tank. In that role, she supported Director Hadeil Ali in researching the Supreme Court’s 2023 affirmative action decision, helped launch the podcast “Driving Impact,” and successfully led a campaign that quadrupled the project’s social media following.

Originally from Cedarburg, Wisconsin, Caroline graduated magna cum laude from the University of Wisconsin–Madison with a B.A. in History and Political Science, along with certificates in European Studies and French Language and Culture. She also studied abroad for a year at the University of
Copenhagen.

While at UW-Madison, Caroline served as a Student Assistant to the HEAL Project, which documents the experiences of Black, Indigenous, Hmong, and Asian students to promote anti-racist practices and pedagogies in STEM education. She also gained hands-on legislative experience as an intern for Representative Kalan Haywood, where she engaged in tracking legislation and connecting with constituents, honing her understanding of the legislative process and advocacy.